Best Of
Re: This Is Most Definitely Not An Appreciation Thread - Part 26
CatherineGT wrote: »Normallylurking wrote: »charlotte_p wrote: »The 2 default settings for cc these days are matching suits jigging street and as you say pastel pyjamas barefoot mournful wafting. I dislike the latter a lot more and often fantasise I am sitting in the front row with a handful of drawing pins.
Drawing pins LOL.
I think the problem is that Strictly bills itself as fun and sparkly, but then gets all a bit worthy at times. I am not opposed to stories and narratives, but I don't understand the thinking that every dance needs a message, which sometimes seems shoehorned in. I think this is especially true of the group numbers. I thought JoJo was fabulous in the group number but my eyes glazed over at the discussion about the 'story' being Luba was his friend who helps him come out of his shell etc. etc.
Same for this weeks rhumba for Katya and Nigel. Just dance it, and let people decide how they interpret it (if at all). You can still dance with emotion.
I couldn't understand why the pro dance on the results show didn't go full on competition level jive in that Harry Styles montage during As it Was. When my daughter and I went to the tour last year at the 02, they put As it was on in the interval. Two children who were sat in the floor seats starting full on jiving to it in the aisle and they were brilliant (obviously top level juniors). It's one of my best memories of the whole show and they got an enormous round of applause from the whole audience.
I just don't understand why they have these top level ballroom and latin champions and make them do commercial or contempowaft or street type dances for the pro dances. Sometimes it works but often it falls flat. Can't they do more dances based on their expertise?
I agree. When one goes to see the pros on their own tours, what they dance bears only the slightest relationship to what they're doing with celebs on Strictly (like Gio and Lauren doing a flat out full on jive) and it's breathtaking. I suspect it's a combination of not wanting to make it too obvious how simplified the celeb dances actually are, and Jason Gilkison having disappeared up his own sense of creative self importance. I do wish he'd stop TELLING A STORY in all caps with subtitles in all available languages and an accompanying pamphlet to explain what's going on - whatever the dance style.
dizsma
28
Re: Strictly Come Dancing 2023: It Takes Two - Discussion Thread | BBC2 6:30pm
Today's show started with a rather drawn-out series of announcements for the rest of the cast for the Christmas special. After yesterday's in-person visits from the first three celebrities, it was a bit of a disappointment that the others weren't in the studio. That was presumably because one or more of them wasn't able to be there in person.
First up we had a clue about "art", and the next contestant is... Tillie Amartey! (No, me neither.) She seems nice enough from the film she sent in. She's paired with Neil, who usually does a good job on the Christmas shows.
Next, it's someone who plays rugby, because sports socks, and specifically Danny Cipriani. He's going to dance with Jowita. I think she's excellent, but I did wonder why Michelle was not given a chance, especially in view of how tall Danny is. There might be a reason.
Finally we had a very big clue that it's someone from Sugababes. However, because it's someone from Sugababes, that leaves a couple of dozen possible names. It turned out to be Keisha Buchanan, who took part in the Friday panel several weeks ago. Her pro is Gorka.
Now we know all the case, and I know how I feel about it now. If I'm honest, I'm slightly underwhelmed by the line up, but I'm sure it'll still be a fun show. I'm most looking forward to Keisha.
As it's Thursday, we had Puttin' on the Glitz. Vicky explained that because of the journey back from Blackpool, the following week's quite pushed. We saw sketches for Annabel (in black and yellow with polka dots for the Paso) and Layton (in pink wide trousers for the American Smooth). There's a choice of possible fabrics on offer, and Vicky needs to check with Nikita about which to use, especially in view of the lifts.
We saw Katya's Rumba dress in the studio, but it was at quite an early stage. It sounds like the idea is for her to come out of the set, which will be draped in grey, but there will be a blue layer underneath. It's kind of floaty looking, but clearly a work in progress.
The other dress in the studio was Ellie's Argentine Tango dress. It's red and black, although Vicky thinks that the bright red might need toning down. Janette said that as it's for Ellie who's similar in height to her, it's going to need shortening.
It's Pro Challenge part 2, so on comes Karen. Janette pointed out she'd been on the show already this week and Karen said she can't get rid of "you guys". You can tell Karen spent a lot of time in New York! I noticed that this time Karen called Janette "chama".
Karen had a bit of a dodgy time in last year's challenge, and it's been nine years since she got a record, so she'd like the pair. However, she as she managed 14 steps, with four disqualified, her end score was less than Katya managed. I wondered if maybe she'd have done slightly better without Anton's heckling, and if Karen hadn't replied to the Guinness representative when he told her it was at the 15 second mark, "You're 15 seconds." Or maybe it was "Your 15 seconds". Neither entirely makes sense.
At least she hasn't had a disaster, like she did last year, when 23 steps were disqualified. Karen said it was really hard, and bits of her body were screaming.
We had some training footage. It all looked reasonably early days. Bobby looked a bit ungainly at points, but good in parts. Ellie was shaping up well, but laughed when Vito put his face up close to hers. Nothing does a guy's confidence good like a woman laughing at him! Annabel also got a fit of the giggles when Johannes did the floor sweep move with her, and she said she was like a big mop. She wasn't a Paso natural, but was all right, and I suspect heading in the right direction. I couldn't gauge Angela S's Cha-Cha-Cha too well, but something tells me it'll be fine by Saturday. Layton looked worried about the technique, mentioning that he's had critique in the past about his footwork, so he wants to get it right this time. Nikita now says, "oop" instead of "up". Nigel looked a bit ropey at points, and he smiled at Katya, wishing her good luck. Katya said that it will be all right, then laughed nervously at the camera. I think the footage we saw yesterday (which looked better) was shot after this. ETA: Or the clips have been carefully curated...
Angela had made an effort with her outfit, that included a strapless black dress, with matching unattached elasticated sleeves. Shiny orchid pink/fuchsia cowbow boots with a stiletto heel rounded off today's number. Carlos was a bit more subdued than usual, in a cement grey suit.
Having seen some of the Argentine Tango itself, naturally ITT had to replay Carlos's emotional reaction to the comments and scores. Even now he couldn't truly explain how he felt, but he said it was because the reaction was so much better than they had expected. Angela said that Carlos shows his emotions more than she does, but that she was moved by his reaction, and that he was proud of her. She was really pleased with the judges' comments too.
Angela also said that they've been at the top, but also right at the bottom and some weeks she has had to dig deep. That ties in with Carlos's previous remarks about Angela being low sometimes, after dances hadn't gone well.
Carlos said that they love Craig, but please can he keep up with the other judges (as he once again withheld a 10).
Angela said that the ballroom in Blackpool has a sense of being a special place when you walk in. She mentioned how all the other contestants had backing dancers, but the Argentine Tango was intimate. Janette suggested that maybe that contrast helped sell their dance a bit. I suppose that might be true, but I think the biggest help was that Angela smashed it.
We got to see a behind the scenes clip of Angela painting Carlos's nails for his lead role in the Harry Styles pro dance. Angela said he can't be Harry without a painted nail, and Janette replied that he nailed it. Very good.
We saw a bit of footage earlier in the show, but this weekend they have the Cha-Cha-Cha. Janette asked how it was going, and Carlos said that, to be honest, the Latin dances are difficult, prompting Angela to chide him not to be too honest.
She seems a bit concerned with how fast the dance is. Carlos says Angela needs to trust herself.
As we often do with Angela, we had another "ladies out on the lash" sofa boogie, this time to I Will Survive. Will that title prove accurate, or ironic? We shall have to see what happens on Saturday.
First up we had a clue about "art", and the next contestant is... Tillie Amartey! (No, me neither.) She seems nice enough from the film she sent in. She's paired with Neil, who usually does a good job on the Christmas shows.
Next, it's someone who plays rugby, because sports socks, and specifically Danny Cipriani. He's going to dance with Jowita. I think she's excellent, but I did wonder why Michelle was not given a chance, especially in view of how tall Danny is. There might be a reason.
Finally we had a very big clue that it's someone from Sugababes. However, because it's someone from Sugababes, that leaves a couple of dozen possible names. It turned out to be Keisha Buchanan, who took part in the Friday panel several weeks ago. Her pro is Gorka.
Now we know all the case, and I know how I feel about it now. If I'm honest, I'm slightly underwhelmed by the line up, but I'm sure it'll still be a fun show. I'm most looking forward to Keisha.
As it's Thursday, we had Puttin' on the Glitz. Vicky explained that because of the journey back from Blackpool, the following week's quite pushed. We saw sketches for Annabel (in black and yellow with polka dots for the Paso) and Layton (in pink wide trousers for the American Smooth). There's a choice of possible fabrics on offer, and Vicky needs to check with Nikita about which to use, especially in view of the lifts.
We saw Katya's Rumba dress in the studio, but it was at quite an early stage. It sounds like the idea is for her to come out of the set, which will be draped in grey, but there will be a blue layer underneath. It's kind of floaty looking, but clearly a work in progress.
The other dress in the studio was Ellie's Argentine Tango dress. It's red and black, although Vicky thinks that the bright red might need toning down. Janette said that as it's for Ellie who's similar in height to her, it's going to need shortening.
It's Pro Challenge part 2, so on comes Karen. Janette pointed out she'd been on the show already this week and Karen said she can't get rid of "you guys". You can tell Karen spent a lot of time in New York! I noticed that this time Karen called Janette "chama".
Karen had a bit of a dodgy time in last year's challenge, and it's been nine years since she got a record, so she'd like the pair. However, she as she managed 14 steps, with four disqualified, her end score was less than Katya managed. I wondered if maybe she'd have done slightly better without Anton's heckling, and if Karen hadn't replied to the Guinness representative when he told her it was at the 15 second mark, "You're 15 seconds." Or maybe it was "Your 15 seconds". Neither entirely makes sense.
At least she hasn't had a disaster, like she did last year, when 23 steps were disqualified. Karen said it was really hard, and bits of her body were screaming.
We had some training footage. It all looked reasonably early days. Bobby looked a bit ungainly at points, but good in parts. Ellie was shaping up well, but laughed when Vito put his face up close to hers. Nothing does a guy's confidence good like a woman laughing at him! Annabel also got a fit of the giggles when Johannes did the floor sweep move with her, and she said she was like a big mop. She wasn't a Paso natural, but was all right, and I suspect heading in the right direction. I couldn't gauge Angela S's Cha-Cha-Cha too well, but something tells me it'll be fine by Saturday. Layton looked worried about the technique, mentioning that he's had critique in the past about his footwork, so he wants to get it right this time. Nikita now says, "oop" instead of "up". Nigel looked a bit ropey at points, and he smiled at Katya, wishing her good luck. Katya said that it will be all right, then laughed nervously at the camera. I think the footage we saw yesterday (which looked better) was shot after this. ETA: Or the clips have been carefully curated...
Angela had made an effort with her outfit, that included a strapless black dress, with matching unattached elasticated sleeves. Shiny orchid pink/fuchsia cowbow boots with a stiletto heel rounded off today's number. Carlos was a bit more subdued than usual, in a cement grey suit.
Having seen some of the Argentine Tango itself, naturally ITT had to replay Carlos's emotional reaction to the comments and scores. Even now he couldn't truly explain how he felt, but he said it was because the reaction was so much better than they had expected. Angela said that Carlos shows his emotions more than she does, but that she was moved by his reaction, and that he was proud of her. She was really pleased with the judges' comments too.
Angela also said that they've been at the top, but also right at the bottom and some weeks she has had to dig deep. That ties in with Carlos's previous remarks about Angela being low sometimes, after dances hadn't gone well.
Carlos said that they love Craig, but please can he keep up with the other judges (as he once again withheld a 10).
Angela said that the ballroom in Blackpool has a sense of being a special place when you walk in. She mentioned how all the other contestants had backing dancers, but the Argentine Tango was intimate. Janette suggested that maybe that contrast helped sell their dance a bit. I suppose that might be true, but I think the biggest help was that Angela smashed it.
We got to see a behind the scenes clip of Angela painting Carlos's nails for his lead role in the Harry Styles pro dance. Angela said he can't be Harry without a painted nail, and Janette replied that he nailed it. Very good.
We saw a bit of footage earlier in the show, but this weekend they have the Cha-Cha-Cha. Janette asked how it was going, and Carlos said that, to be honest, the Latin dances are difficult, prompting Angela to chide him not to be too honest.
She seems a bit concerned with how fast the dance is. Carlos says Angela needs to trust herself.
As we often do with Angela, we had another "ladies out on the lash" sofa boogie, this time to I Will Survive. Will that title prove accurate, or ironic? We shall have to see what happens on Saturday.
EE Elaine, sad excuse for a mother
My god, Elaine made me sick tonight, what kind of mother virtually manipulates her own daughter to lie about being raped?? If i was in Linda's i would've literally disowned her.
ss147
23
Re: Grace the face
She used to write extremely funny reviews of Big Brother in the old days, and was something of a super-fan if I remember correctly.
Nicho
27
Re: It is wonderful to see that Fred and Nella have made up!
ChoccyPeanuts wrote: »It’s also grand that Jamie Lynn has stopped crying and is adjusting to camp life.
The theme of this years series is ‘growth’. 😊
Sorry. But the only reason why Nella and Fred have made up is because the producers intervened and used a form of mediation to get them to talk. It was nothing to do with them sorting it out themselves
owen10
44
Strictly on Doctor who!!
I was just watching the interview with Russell T Davies (Doctor who writer and showrunner) on Morning Live on YouTube (I am a massive doctor who fan and very excited its back at last so I was catching up on all the interviews over the last few days) and Shirley was in the studio as well. It turns out there is a Strictly bit in one of the new specials with lots of the dancers and Shirley is dancing with JoJo. What a crossover! Russell was very excited about it and said he had to be on set the day they filmed it.
CatherineGT
24
Re: "I'm just a girl "
"Just" a girl? Well that does a lot for female empowerment, doesn't it?
Re: It is wonderful to see that Fred and Nella have made up!
I think Nellas been taken to one side and warned about the public backlash against her and that's why she suddenly decided to be Fred's mate again.
minxymoo
57
Re: Boat Story BBC1 9pm Sunday
The Guardian's reviewer (with whom I rarely share any sympathies) ends with these words: "It’s a triumph of sense, sensibility and style. I love it. We can have nice things."
Nice things? Seriously? I would say that it is totally the wrong show at - historically - the wrong time. The spectacle of people having their fingers amputated, tongues cut out, being stabbed to death and the entire staff of a police station methodically shot to death by thugs wearing balaclavas and wielding shotguns and automatic weapons is currently just too sickeningly familiar. Would the Guardian's critic have enjoyed it even more if a few comic rapes or dead babies had been thrown into the mix?
This is not what 'black' humour is about. This is 'comedy' for an audience that has lost its critical awareness - and probably its moral compass. I am outraged, both at the programme and the reaction of those who find it an excellent laugh. And no, I am not easily outraged.
Nice things? Seriously? I would say that it is totally the wrong show at - historically - the wrong time. The spectacle of people having their fingers amputated, tongues cut out, being stabbed to death and the entire staff of a police station methodically shot to death by thugs wearing balaclavas and wielding shotguns and automatic weapons is currently just too sickeningly familiar. Would the Guardian's critic have enjoyed it even more if a few comic rapes or dead babies had been thrown into the mix?
This is not what 'black' humour is about. This is 'comedy' for an audience that has lost its critical awareness - and probably its moral compass. I am outraged, both at the programme and the reaction of those who find it an excellent laugh. And no, I am not easily outraged.
fenlander
22
Re: Could Layton & Nikita actually win this?
I don’t mind if they don’t win as long as they’re in the final.
A final without them is not a final I’ll be that interested in.
A final without them is not a final I’ll be that interested in.